The Election Commission of India (ECI) is undertaking an "intensive revision" of Bihar's electoral rolls ahead of November elections, requiring nearly 30 million people to resubmit documentation to verify their eligibility. This has led to criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups who allege the process is disenfranchising vulnerable populations, particularly Muslims, Dalits, and poor migrant communities. The short timeframe given to submit the required 11 documents, coupled with the difficulty many in Bihar's rural population face in obtaining necessary documentation, has resulted in widespread complaints.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal, Bihar's main opposition party, challenged the ECI's actions in the Supreme Court, arguing the revision disproportionately targets marginalized communities and constitutes "engineered exclusions." While the Supreme Court allowed the revision to proceed, it expressed concerns about its timing and fairness, urging a more inclusive approach. Critics, including the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), call the revision "arbitrary and unconstitutional," warning of potential disenfranchisement of millions. The ECI maintains the revision is necessary to remove deceased individuals, those who have moved, and duplicate entries, as well as to prevent the inclusion of illegal immigrants. The BJP supports the revision, viewing it as a necessary step to ensure only Indian citizens vote.

The draft electoral rolls will be published on August 1st, with a September 1st deadline for claims and objections. The final roll is scheduled for September 30th. The Supreme Court's next hearing is set for July 28th.

Impact Statement: The controversy surrounding Bihar's electoral roll revision raises concerns about the fairness and inclusivity of the electoral process in India and its potential impact on future elections.